Bristol Myers Squibb and Lyfebulb announce that Pierluigi Mantovani of Evolution Devices was chosen as the winner of the Addressing Unmet Needs in MS: An Innovation Challenge.
Evolution Devices will receive $25,000 from Lyfebulb to further develop its electrical stimulation device designed to couple artificial intelligence and proprietary software to rehabilitate foot drop in multiple sclerosis patients.
Pierluigi was motivated to start his company out of his personal observations of seeing his own father struggle with foot drop living with MS.
Additionally, FFORA and GRIT each received honorable mentions for their impactful innovations that have the potential to greatly increase the quality of life for individuals living with MS. FFORA, founded by Lucy Jones, offers a suite of lifestyle branded, wheelchair-attachable products specifically made for the disability community. GRIT, co-founded by Tish Scolnik, offers adaptive, all-terrain wheelchairs allowing people with physical limitations the freedom to engage in outdoor activities, Lyfebulb explains in a media release.
“At Bristol Myers Squibb, patients are at the heart of everything we do. The caliber of entries and the ingenuity they represent exemplifies the importance of sourcing solutions from those with the most intimate knowledge of multiple sclerosis – people with this disease and their loved ones. This partnership with Lyfebulb represents one of many with the MS community, and we are truly appreciative of all the time donated from those who submitted entries and the esteemed panel of judges.”
— Tina Deignan, Senior Vice President and U.S. Business Unit Head of Immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb
Virtual Challenge
The 2021 MS Innovation Challenge took place virtually over two days on March 10-11, 2021, and was open to entrepreneurs motivated by a personal connection to the disease developing products and solutions for the MS community. Ten finalists were selected to pitch their company’s solution to a panel of independent judges from across industries, including MS experts, healthcare, and the business world.
Selected solutions from finalists spanned mobility assistance and wearable devices, transportation accessibility services, exercise and strength training programs, functional accessories, and social enterprises fostering inclusion.
March 16 Webinar for Further Info
To continue partnership efforts to collectively raise awareness of MS and spotlight innovation, Bristol Myers Squibb and Lyfebulb will be hosting a virtual speaker session with Pierluigi, Lucy and Tish and select judges on March 16, 2021. The speaker session is open to all members of the community. Visit Lyfebulb for more information.
“The degree of impact of the solutions presented by applicants at this year’s challenge was extremely high, and we would like to congratulate all those working to improve the lives of those affected by MS. We thank the judges for making this difficult decision in selecting the winner, and hope all entrepreneurs are inspired by the collaborative sessions in this Innovation Challenge to continue on their quest to bring forth solutions to ease the burden of living with chronic disease.”
— Dr. Karin Hehenberger, Founder and CEO of Lyfebulb
[Source(s): Lyfebulb, PR Newswire]
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MS Innovation Challenge Aims to Address Unmet Needs
